Free The Desert Lion's True Colours by Ikechi Hayden Page A

turn green. After a few seconds the barrier moved upwards and the door behind it opened from left to right. Leon didn’t drive through it but got out of the car went round to the back and took the Gucci bag holding the money out of the trunk. Jay followed behind and as soon as they walked through the main door that had just opened they were met by the Chief who had been in Leon’s Kitchen Earlier that morning.
    ‘Good day to you Detective Ferron.’ he said. ‘It’s so nice of you to come down here and fit us into your busy schedule.’
    Not quite sure how to take his Chiefs welcome Leon just smiled.
    ‘I know you haven’t been here for some time, so I thought it would be a good idea for me to show you around.’
    Leon smiled at Chief Edwards and allowed himself to be lead down a corridor with offices on both sides, partially filled with fellow FBI agents dressed in either blue, black or grey suites. When they got to the end of the corridor the Chief stopped in front of a door and ordered Leon and Jay to wait outside. Entering the office the Chief closed the door behind him. Leon looked up at Jay.
    ‘Do you know what this is all about?’ he said under his breath.
    ‘Nahh, your guess is as good as mine.’ Jay replied.
    No sooner did the words leave Jay’s lips when they both heard the Chief call them into the room. Leon opened the door and entered with Jay following. Once inside both of them stood erect when they saw ‘Special Agent - Kelly Upson’ - the Superior Director of the whole FBI division. He was well known within the Agency as an out of date, crazy, old man that was more of a politician than a FBI Agent. He would refer to himself as the “ Superior ” and expected everyone to call him as such. He was very tall, about 6'7, Caucasian, with slightly blood shot cheeks that made him look like he was embarrassed all the time. With the wrinkled bags under his eyes and completely bald head, Leon figured he had to be in his mid-seventies probably pushing eighty, which made it unclear to Leon as to why or how he was still able to work for the Agency. However he was 6 ranks higher than their own Chief - who was only the ‘Special Agent in charge’ of their case; so Leon knew for him to come around, things were worse than bad.
    Special Agent Upson cleared his throat and said ‘At ease gentlemen.’
    They both complied.
    ‘Before I go onto MORE IMPORTANT things,’ He said. ‘How have you both been… ? Good?’
    Leon thought about how much he hated his superiors. He knew Upson never liked the idea of the “two homies”, (That is what he called them after Jay got shot, three years ago) heading the biggest drug investigation the FBI had ever undertaken. From the beginning he made it very clear he was never going to be a hundred percent on board with this mission.
    Yeah; Leon disliked the Superior with a passion. He hated his haughty expression and the outright fake sincerity of the question. He was not concerned in the least, in regards to how they were doing. Leon wished he could say what he really felt but then ironically came to the realisation that working for the FBI was just like being undercover. He was always put in situations where he could not be himself. He always had to play the roll the circumstance demanded. Basically, give up his own moralities to become someone else, just so he could maintain the status quo.
    Leon looked over at Jay to gage his reaction to Superior Upson’s question; however he did not see anything register on his friends face. Jay was just standing there in silence, - expressionless, eyes open but inert. Leon smiled to himself. ‘He’s doing what I do.’ he thought.
    Special Agent Upson made a gesture with his hands, as if to say “I’m still waiting for your answer” , so Leon gave the Superior a smile and said, ‘Everything is going fine sir. Thank you for asking.’
    Leon leaned forward slightly and gently cleared his throat, as the bitter taste of vomit instantly